Eyebeam’s Leaving Chelsea

The work of graffiti artist Katsu on Eyebeam's Chelsea space (Image courtesy of Jillian Steinhauer)

Holy shit. Eyebeam is moving to Brooklyn.

This afternoon, the non-profit announced that they’ll be leaving behind their signature garage space in Chelsea, which was purchased for the organization by Eyebeam executive director (and Band-Aids heir) John Johnson. The design of the Chelsea space was chosen through an architecture competition, which was also a platform for new ideas about space for new media use. (There’s a great post on that history here).

Eyebeam will be moving to North Site II, a half-housing, half-commercial space which they’ll share with Science Gallery International. That’ll make them neighbors with BAM, BRIC, MoCADA, ISSUE Project Room, the Irondale Theater, and 40 or so more art spaces. According to Curbed, North Site II will be the last building in the BAM cultural district to be developed.

Eyebeam states that their Chelsea space will be put on the market within the next few months. The money will go toward operating expenses and developing their new space, for which they’ll be raising additional funds through to its slated completion in 2016. The architect for the new space has yet to be selected, but according to the press release, “will be chosen on the basis of their aesthetic creativity as well as their commitment to green and sustainable design.”